In an outrageous move, Senate Republicans are holding hostage a confirmation vote for Lynch unless Democrats agree to concessions on a completely unrelated matter — concessions that could have devastating impacts on women’s health across the globe.1,2 Loretta Lynch was nominated nearly six months ago by President Obama to replace outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder. Republicans subjected her to a circus of a confirmation hearing trotting out numerous right-wing proponents of voter suppression. Finding no legitimate reason to reject her confirmation, Republicans are resorting to parliamentary games to prevent Lynch from assuming control of the Department of Justice.

Republicans have held control of the Senate for more than 3 months and only this week did they confirm the first judicial nominee.3 The GOP took control of the Senate this year with the promise of letting the way they govern be the case to the nation as to why they should win the Presidency in 2016. And with that power, they’ve refused to vote to confirm Loretta Lynch — who they’ve already confirmed twice as US Attorney — even though enough Republican Senators have offered public support of her to assure confirmation if a vote were to happen.4 Join us to demand Senate Republicans stop the obstruction and call an immediate vote to confirm Loretta Lynch as Attorney General.

The demands Republicans are making are unconscionable. They won’t allow a confirmation vote on the first African American woman Attorney General because they want to ban underage victims of human trafficking from accessing abortions. The Senate was set to pass the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 when Democrats noticed that Texas Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has hidden language in the bill that would restrict funding for abortion and force victims of human trafficking — girls who have been raped — to carry pregnancies to term.5

Loretta Lynch is an immensely qualified nominee who has for a total of 7 years — the past 5 years under President Obama and 2 years under President Clinton — served as US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. In that role, she has defended the people of New York by prosecuting corrupt politicians from both parties, predatory financial fraud rings and the violent NYPD officers who brutalized Abner Louima.6 Even many Republicans, including outspoken former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have called on Senate Republicans to allow a vote.7

It is disgraceful that the far-right Republicans in the Senate continue to hold Loretta Lynch’s nomination hostage. That their ransom is the reproductive rights of young women who have been victims of human trafficking is a despicable indication that extremists are running the GOP caucus.

Black women participate in Presidential elections at the highest rate of any group. This disrespect will not be forgotten as the GOP makes its case to voters in 2016.